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Radio Free Europe on the 'Russian connection' in Kosovo recognition withdrawal (RFE, B92)

So far, 13 states had decided to revoke recognition of Kosovo independence claims Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RFE reports.

Those are the following countries: São Tomé and Príncipe, Surinam, Guinea-Bissau, Burundi, Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Lesotho, Commonwealth Dominica, Grenada, Union of Comoros, the Solomon Islands, Madagascar and Palau for which the Ministry submitted to the Radio Free Europe (RFE) copies of diplomatic notes in which they inform the Ministry on their decision.

Abbot Sava Janjic warns of possible Serbs' migration from Kosovo caused by the idea of demarcation (TV Hram, RFE, KIM radio)

Abbot of the Visoki Decani monastery Sava Janjic told the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) TV Hram that due to some political solutions mentioned, it may happen that the Serbian people disappear from Kosovo, citing the idea of demarcation.

"Today we are facing a particularly great temptation, because with certain solutions that are sought on a political plan, it can happen that our people completely leave this region, or more than ever before in history," said Abbot Sava.

McAllister concentrates on how to get Brussels dialogue back on track, EU took a note of a debate on the exchange of territories (N1, RFE)

David McAllister, the European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur for Serbia told Radio Free Europe (RFE) in an interview his delegation called on Pristina authorities to revoke the decision on the 100 percent import taxes on goods from Serbia to enable the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue to resume, the Beta news agency reported on Wednesday.

Former MEP Doris Pack speaks out against border changes in Western Balkans (N1, Radio Free Europe)

The European Parliament’s former rapporteur on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Doris Pack, spoke out on Tuesday against changes to borders in the Balkans.

Former MEP expressed surprise over the fact that the Presidents of Serbia and Kosovo, Aleksandar Vucic and Hashim Thaci, support the proposed territory swap between Serbia and Kosovo.

US Ambassador to BiH: Support to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, there are no parallels (Kontakt plus radio, RFE)

The US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina told Radio Free Europe that the US supports the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and that there are no parallels between Kosovo, Serbia and Republika Srpska (RS).

"What we support when it comes to Kosovo is definitely a dialogue that is being conducted, which we believe should be conducted until a solution is reached that will be the result of a joint agreement between both sides. We certainly welcome the role of the EU in those talks," US Ambassador to BiH Maureen Cormack told RFE.

NATO, US reacts to "KSF transformation" draft law (B92, Beta, Radio Free Europe)

NATO has assessed that the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is a question for the Kosovo authorities.

A NATO official told Radio Free Europe on Thursday that "any change in the structure, mandate, and mission of the KSF will require constitutional amendments" and that it "supports the development of the force “under its current mandate."

The KSF s also described as "a professional, multi-ethnic force, and a source of regional stability," Beta reported.

Quick Border Deal Between Kosovo, Serbia Could Ignite Balkans (RFE)

Talks between Serbia and Kosovo on a possible redrawing of borders largely along ethnic lines are threatening to reignite a familiar European tinderbox.

Despite questions over whether they even have a mandate to do so, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his Kosovo counterpart Hashim Thaci have embarked on high-level talks that could envision Kosovo's Serb-dominated north coming under Belgrade's rule in exchange for the Albanian-dominated Presevo Valley in south Serbia being handed to Pristina.

Who's behind Pristina's moves - and who's in a hurry? (Vecernje Novosti, B92)

Political scientist Nexhmedin Spahiu says Pristina did not decide on its own not to go to Brussels for a new round of the Kosovo dialogue.

The daily Vecernje Novosti is reporting at the same time that three EU members want to "speed up" the entire process.

Spain asks to join Belgrade – Pristina dialogue (N1, Blic)

Spain, one of the five European Union member states that have not recognised Kosovo independence, asked to take part in the EU mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina aiming at normalization of relations between the two capitals, reports today Belgrade based daily Blic.

Madrid was not alone in requesting the participation, and some other states, namely the members of the so-called Visegrad Group, consisting of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, joined in, a daily reported on Wednesday.

EU countries seek participation in dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (RFE)

Radio Free Europe learn that EU member states are demanding participation in the final phase of the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, which will lead to a legally binding agreement on a comprehensive normalization of relations.

RFE writes that according to European sources, member states have begun to demonstrate their disapproval of the lack of transparency in political dialogue, especially about the chapter dealing with the final agreement.